NFPA 79 - Update 2012

News regarding Code Update NFPA 79 - 2012

IQM

Dear Sir or Madam,

the National Fire Protection Association publishes many Electrical safety standards used
in the USA today. Including the standard we discuss in this paper, NFPA 79 Electrical
Standard for Industrial Machinery (2012 edition). Users in the US are not the only
reference this standard, but also machine builders throughout the world utilize NFPA 79.
The standards scope basically ensures proper application of electrical systems used in
industrial machines and equipment used in the USA. The standard helps designers make
these machines safe and provide the highest degree of protection for the operators.
The NFPA revises this standard on a three to four year cycle. Each revision cycle
produces an updated standard with changes that reflect current machine requirements in a
constantly changing industry.
A major revision was done to Section 12 - Conductors, Cables and Flexible Cords. NFPA
describes the changes as follows; Chapter 12 has received a new section to address
user concerns permitting the use of appliance wiring material (AWM) as special
cables, with clarifications on determining suitability for use under specific
conditions. (NFPA 79-2012) The revised section of NFPA 79 Chapter 12 is 12.9 and
reads as follows:
12.9 Special Cables and Conductors.
12.9.1 Other listed cables and conductors shall be permitted were identified as
suitable for the intended use.
12.9.2 Appliance wiring material (AWM) shall be permitted as follows:
(1) Where part of an assembly that has been identified for the intended use
(2) Where the AWM has been identified for use with approved manufacturers
instructions
(3) Where its construction meets all applicable requirements of Section 12.2
through Section 12.6 with modifications as follows:
(a) Stranded conductors with wire sizes smaller then those listed in 12.2.2
shall have a minimum of seven strands.
(b) Conductor insulation and cable jacket materials not specified in 12.3.1
shall have flame-resistant properties in compliance with applicable
standards for intended use such as FT2 (horizontal wire) flame test or
VW-1 (vertical wire) flame test in accordance with ANSI/UL 1581
(c) Minimum insulation thickness for single conductor AWM shall be
specified in 12.3.2. Minimum insulation thickness for conductors that
are part of a multi-conductor jacketed AWM cable shall be as specified
by the AWM style number and by the marked voltage rating of the
cable.
(d) AWM shall be marked in accordance with 12.4.1, 12.4.3, and 12.4.4.
The legend shall include manufacturers name or trademark, AWM
style number, voltage rating (unless marking is prohibited by 12.4.2),
wire gauge(s), temperature rating, and flame resistance. Additional
markings for properties such as oils, water, UV, and chemical
resistance identifiers shall be permitted where in compliance with
applicable standards for intended use. Where markings alone are
insufficient to identify for the intended application, suitable
information shall be included with the machine technical
documentation.
Excerpt of NFPA 79-2012 Capter 12.9 Special cables and Conductors
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Name:

M. Gllner

Name:

R. Rssel

Name:

Date:

28.11.2011

Date:

19.11.2011

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NFPA 79 - Update 2012

News regarding Code Update NFPA 79 - 2012

IQM

The code is developed and revised by a technical committee consisted of electrical

inspectors, industry professionals and end users. The basis for this type of document is
that anyone can comment or request a change. The technical committee responsible for
accepting and rejecting changes reviews each proposal and rule accordingly. During the
past 10 years the consideration of AWM cable was a heavily debated topic. Prior to the
2012 standard, AWM cable was not allowed per the NFPA 79 standard. However, contrary
to the NFPA 79, the industry has used AWM type cables on machines for many years. As
a result of users making proposals and gaining the technical committees acceptance, the
standard has finally been revised to include AWM cables. The addition of AWM type
cables to this standard allows Machine builders more choices of cable conductor crosssection and number of conductors. As well as cable constructions designed for continuous
flexing.
A Basic overview of the UL 758 Standard for Safety of Appliance Wiring Material
The AWM standard is published and edited by
Underwriters Laboratory. UL initially published
the AWM standard to control and standardize
the cables that are used in UL listed systems.
The AWM standard gives a framework for proper wire construction and testing The UL
AWM standard 758 does not cover wire, cable or cord types that are presently covered in
the National Electrical Code NFPA 70 (UL 758, scope). The standard also consists of
style pages that describe materials, construction and testing of cables used on
equipment. All construction and testing requirements are referenced on the style page.
In order to manufacture this type of cable these requirements must be met.

= UL AWM

The section below details an actual style page as found on the UL website:

Temperature & Voltage

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Name:

M. Gllner

Name:

R. Rssel

Name:

Date:

28.11.2011

Date:

19.11.2011

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NFPA 79 - Update 2012

News regarding Code Update NFPA 79 - 2012

IQM

Test
program

Usage

Jacket Type
&
Wall Thickness

Style pages were created to control the basic construction of a cable. Each style page
defines the Jacket Type, Temperature and Voltage, Assembly, Test program, Material
Class wall thickness and general construction of a cable.

Executed

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Name:

M. Gllner

Name:

R. Rssel

Name:

Date:

28.11.2011

Date:

19.11.2011

Date:

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NFPA 79 - Update 2012

News regarding Code Update NFPA 79 - 2012

IQM

The style page also defines general use. There are many different styles that allow the
designer to manufacture small single conductor wire up to large power and control cables.
igus offers a complete line of continuous flexing cables, and complies with all the AWM
requirements described in the NFPA 79 standard.
See links below for more information on the various cables we offer.
Best regards,

Rainer Rssel

igus GmbH
Head of Business Unit

chainflex cables
mailto: rroessel@igus.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 2203 / 9649 278
Fax: +49 (0) 2203 / 9649 7691
igus GmbH, Spicher Str. 1a, 51147 Kln
AG Kln, HRB 27158, GF/CEO Frank Blase
igus plastics for longer life
http://www.igus.de

References:
UL Online-Zertifizierungsverzeichnis
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/index.htm
UL AWM 758
NFPA 79 2012
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=79

Executed

Checked & released

Revised

Name:

M. Gllner

Name:

R. Rssel

Name:

Date:

28.11.2011

Date:

19.11.2011

Date:

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